Fru-Gal Column December 16

When people say to me “I love your column!”, I then say do you use my suggestions, some say yes but some say not yet but I need to. This Special New Year - 1/11/11 is the time to start a new routine. I can’t stress enough that the tips I give throughout the year in my column and on my website can save you thousands. I already had someone come up to me this holiday season and tell me that I saved her over $300 on her holiday shopping. I am not asking you to do a major overhaul but let’s start with doing five small things in January to help you on your way to becoming financially, emotionally, and physically better this 2011. Watch to see what my five suggestions in February will be.

1. If you don’t have a slow cooker put it on your gift list. Just this Sunday my husband made a terrific dinner. When we sat down he said you know this dinner cost around $20 and if we went out to dinner it would be at least $80. The kicker is with the leftovers we had enough for lunch the next day. I know when you work all day the last thing you want to do is make dinner. The best dinner is when you come home and all you have to do is make some side dishes because your main dish is already made in your slow cooker. Go online to get some tips and recipes on how to use your slow-cooker. http://www.slowandsimple.com/

2. I hate to say this over and over again but you need to know how much money is coming in and how much money is going out. Mint.com is a wonderful resource to help you figure this out. When you have this information in hand you will be able to better understand your finances. The feeling of paying off all your bills will offset all the anxiety you may have starting this process.
3. Last Friday I spent too many hours looking for a piece of paper I needed to fill out a form. Let me tell you after a trash bag of shredded paper and a backseat of stuff for Goodwill I felt better because my office became less cluttered. Plan on making your live less cluttered especially after all the presents you receive for the holidays. If you received a new sweater let’s give an old sweater to Goodwill or Salvation Army. During my rant on Friday, I couldn’t believe all the paper that I accumulate. The Federal Trade Commission wants to help. The credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables you to “opt-out” of having pre-approved credit offers sent to you for five years. Call 1-888-567-8688 or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. Many of your cable, phone and other expenses offer you a special gift if you go paperless. Check it out.

4. I tell you time and time again that you can have family time for free. Your local library is a wonderful resource for free entertainment. You can check out movies, books, music even games or participate in all of their free programs offered. Go online to Kentucky.com for all the latest free events happening in the area. If it is a newly released film you want to see check out your local theatres for discounted matinee times. Want to get a free rental at Blockbuster Express just enter promotional code XU14A doesn’t expire until January 7. Don’t forget to look for those Orville Redenbacher popcorn boxes that offer free Redbox codes inside.

5. Take a walk. Kentucky is blessed with many beautiful walking trails take advantage of this free resource. Now open is the Legacy Trail a 12 mile walking, biking, interpretive trail and public art venue. Go to your local parks and recreation website to find all their offerings.

Enjoy online storytime by Barnes & Noble with this month’s featured story “Polar Express” read by the book’s author Chris Van Allsburg. Every month they feature a new popular kids story read out loud. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/storytime/index.asp

Send a personalized call from Santa http://www.sendacallfromsanta.com/

Get a free personalized letter from Santa courtesy of Walgreens http://www.mdmgames.net/npnWalgreens/

Get a free personalized Christmas, Birthday or Love song to send to someone special. http://instasong.com/servlets/InstaSong?method=setup_registration_page&csrc=6010800566

Send a magical card to the North Pole on behalf of a child and Santa Claus will send back a personalized video. http://magicsanta.ca/

Elf yourself at Office Max by creating your own personalized elf to send to family and friends. http://www.elfyourself.com/

Send your friends and family a personalized greeting via Coca-Cola and Facebook. They’ll receive a cute polar bear video and a coupon for 99 cents off a 14,16 or 20oz Coke. A fresh supply of coupons arrive every Monday at 6pm. http://apps.facebook.com/ahhgiver/splash.php

Lowe’s is having a Last-Minute Gift-A-Thon! Get up to 90% off! Just like them on their facebook page and on Friday, December 17 at 10am thru December 19 till 11pm they will have limited amount of 90% off values. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109292545809222

$10 off when you spend $20 or more in apparel and accessories purchase at Sears coupon http://www.sears.com/ue/clth/1215_Apparel_Coupon.pdf

Coupons.com has a new $5 coupon off Shrek Forever After DVD. www.coupons.com

This week only the Disney Store is offering buy one get one free on plush animals and kids sleepware. www.disneystore.com

Meijer Store is running a Levi Jean promotion this week: Buy any two signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Jeans or Casual Pants for the family and get a $10 Meijer gift card by mail. (rebate form will print out at register) Boy’s and Girl’s Denim are on sale for $13 each.
Get your free sample of Pampers UnderJams. https://www.pampers.com/en_US/underjams-sample

Pick up a free sample of Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Liquid Nude when you stop by Sephora inside JCPenney with coupon. http://f.jcpenneyem.com/i/2/95827765/20101212_sijcp_gifts.jpg

Get your free sample of Magic Spice even add your own personalized message to the sample. http://yourmagicspice.com/Say-it-with-Seasoning.html

Feed it Forward and Restaurant.com want to build community and lift people’s spirits by giving the gift of $10 Restaurant.com gift certificates for free. You can give up to 40 $10 Restaurant.com gift certificates every day until December 31. http://feeditforward.restaurant.com/?showLogin=true&ReturnUrl=%2fHome%2fGiveGifts

This week at Rite Aid buy two Rite Aid brand gift wrap tape where they are buy one get one free costing you just $1.49 but use your wellness card and receive $2.00 back in UPs rewards which will in the end have you making 51 cents on the deal.
Like Birds Eye Vegetables on their facebook page and receive a coupon for 50 cents. They are on sale for 88 cents at Krogers this week making them free-remember the coupon will double. http://www.facebook.com/BirdsEyeVegetables?v=app_168499426506502

Free cup of Yoplait yogurt. https://www.yoplait.com/get-your-free-cup

Like Bic on their facebook page for a high-value $5 coupon on any BIC mark-it permanent markers http://www.facebook.com/BICMarkit?v=app_7146470109

Like Heluva Good Dip on their facebook page for $1 coupon to help with spreading holiday cheer http://www.facebook.com/HeluvaGood?v=app_10467688569

Like Kenmore on their facebook page and they will send a dozen cookies to a soldier away from with a personal message of support. http://www.facebook.com/kenmore?ref=ts&v=app_155844884458429

Visit Life Adventure Center, 570 Milner Rd. Versailles and meet their Reindeer on Thursday, December 16th from 3pm to 6pm. You will be able to learn about the reindeer, enjoy festive music, sip on hot chocolate and make “Magic Reindeer Dust” for FREE. http://www.lacbg.com/default.htm

Fru-Gal Update December 15

Buy one get one free box of Special K Cereal coupon
http://www.specialk.com/register/offer/

Another Rite Aid Deal

Buy two ecotools get the second one for 50% off
Receive $5 in UPs rewards
I ended up getting two items for free.
Ecotools are environmentally friendly spa tools

Coffee-mate $1.00 coupon just like them on their facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/CoffeemateUSA?v=app_4949752878

Free posters from Cabot Cheese
http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/community_and_you/free_posters.php

Log in to Cellfire on Thrusday, December 16th between 10am to 2pm to find out what special coupon Santa brings you. For Kroger stores only- everyone will get a $coupon from 50 cents to $5.
www.cellfire.com


$50 off $100 purchase at NY and Company just enter code 6207 good only today
www.nyandcompany.com

Twilight movie on sale at Amazon originally $22.99 now $5.49 and you will also get a $5 video on demand credit.
http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Single-Disc-Kristen-Stewart/dp/B003ZKBELG?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1292352555&sr=1-11

Crayola Glow Explosion Spin Magic originally $29.99 now $5.99 there also is a $2 rebate for the product
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003P8IXTY?ie=UTF8&tag=myfrugadve-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003P8IXTY

Free sample of Starbucks Vanilla from Amazon
http://fresh.amazon.com/SbFrSmpl

Aeropostale wool plaid-lined pea coat was $99.50 now $29.85
http://www.aeropostale.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4302434&cid=1032852&affiliate=y&utm_source=GAN&utm_medium=k253013&utm_campaign=Frugal%20Living%20And%20Having%20Fu

Save $5 off your movie ticket from PNC bank and Fandango
http://www.fandango.com/promo/pnc?wss=mktfacebook&snid=fanpage

Free download from Amazon - Money Girls's Smart Moves to Deal with Your Debt Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DNW5XK?ie=UTF8&tag=thefreblo08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004DNW5XK

Free sample of Wellness dog or cat food
http://www.sharetruewellness.com/cookinglight

Fru-Gal Update December 14

Free sample of Shout Color Catcher sample
http://www.shoutitout.com/coupon/06-10-shoutsample/

Free sample of Natural Nutrition Cat Food
http://www.purecat.net/sample.php

Free Huggies Pull-Ups interactive potty training DVD
http://www.pull-ups.com/na/potty_training_DVD.aspx

25% your bill at TGI Fridays
http://www.mamacheaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tgi-fridays-coupon.jpg

Big sale at Diaper.com today, up to 75% off. If you haven't ordered from them yet use promotional code 123diapers for 15% off. If you have previously ordered try GET10PCT. Shipping is free whenyou spend either $49 on diapers.com or if you purchase one item from soap.com add to your card and all you have to spend is $25 to get free shipping. So you can add a $1 item from soap.com to get the shipping
www.diapers.com
www.soap.com

Disney's Family Fun magazine subscription for $2.99. Just enter promotional code FUN
I loved this magazine when my kids where little
http://www.tanga.com/products/disney-s-family-fun-magazine-subscription--23

OK I think that one of the items everyone is trying to get this holiday season is Pillow Pets. I have seen them all over the internet at around $19.99 now Tanga has them for $4.99. Not the real pillow pets but they are cute.
http://www.tanga.com/products/pillow-cuddlers-plush-pet-and-pillow

40% off and free shipping for Lee Jeans
http://www.lee.com/LEE_STORE_US/en_US/home.html

Buy one of 31 qualifying DVDs from Amazon and get a promotional code which you can redeem for a certificate valid for one admission to Little Fockers
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000640401

Mega Bloks Ironman 2 Hall of Armour Playset originally $29.99 now $8.99 70% off
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YT7544?ie=UTF8&tag=whsanoinliisf-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002YT7544

Free holiday picture from Picture Me at Walmart
http://www.pictureme.com/cpi/en-US/SpecialOffers/Email/1039EmailOffer/EmailOffer1/Emailofferitem1.htm

Send a friend a holiday ecard and both of you will get a buy one get one free coupon for Old Orchard Juice
http://oldorchardjuiceco.cmail2.com/T/ViewEmail/r/B5256088C8EC1AB8/E740729B2137C8CDD9767B6002735221

Free subscription to Martha Stewarts Whole Living magazine
http://www.rewardsgold.com/mags/whole_living/em/sg_whole_living_pg4gd.htm

Fru-Gal Update December 13

Holiday Time Santa Bundle Set was $15 now $6 from Walmart
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Santa-Holiday-Bath-Decor-Bundle/14972140?wmlspartner=haz2yPMl*tA&sourceid=19094726240893720290

Amazon Deal of the Day-
Scotch Thermal Laminator orginally $80.49 now just $16.99 79% off
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010JEJPC?ie=UTF8&tag=mam0cc-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0010JEJPC

Wii Disney SIng It High School Musical 3
originally $29.99 now $9.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001N26GEI?ie=UTF8&tag=coupounite-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001N26GEI

Educo by Hape International Park n' Go Garage- this looks like a great wooden parking garage to play with toy cars originally $69.95 now $21 70% off
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033ZU4YG?ie=UTF8&tag=34ce34abmo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0033ZU4YG
Today Snapfish deal is buy one calendar get two free. Just use promotional code MERRY1215
www.snapfish.com

Like Bird's Eye Vegetable on their facebook page and receive a 50 cents coupon. They are on sale this week at Krogers for 88 cents so when the coupon doubles this will make them free. http://www.facebook.com/BirdsEyeVegetables?v=app_168499426506502

Today only get $10 off $40 purchase at Walgreens.com and get free shipping. Just use promotional code TEN40
www.walgreens.com

Free cup of Yoplait yogurt
https://www.yoplait.com/get-your-free-cup

If someone you know is looking for a electric guitar, amp, shoulder strap and picks for $69.99 half off at Target plus free shipping.
http://dailydeals.target.com/?ref=sr_shorturl_dailydeals

Rite Aid moneymaker deal-
Buy two Gift Wrap Tape for $1.49 each
Buy one get one free deal so minus $1.49
Receive $2 in UPs reward when you use your wellness card
Final price = 51 cents moneymaker

Another of the same deal but buy two boxes of Rite Aid Envelopes at $2.29 each
Minus $2.29 for buy one get on free deal
Receive $2 in UPs reward when you use your wellness card
Final price = 29 cents for two boxes of envelopes